By Moonlight (P.P + M.J)

25. Learning From The Past

"So yeah, he was being mind-controlled the whole time with this thing!" Peter finished explaining, holding up the now-broken helmet.

Tony proved to still be in Bali. The suit was a sentry he'd sent when Karen contacted him telling about the trouble he was having in the scrapyard, when things started to look bad.

"So, what about before? With the fire?" Tony questioned, the suit hovering off the ground. Peter's chest wounds were starting to sting, even though the suit didn't show it. He wished for the conversation to be over, so he could go home and rest, but he knew Tony was just being protective.

"That was him without it. He was kind of good back then."

"You do know the whole city is looking for him, right? He almost killed four people. Police officers, no less."

"But that wasn't him! If he had a choice, he would never have done that!" Peter explained, desperate to convince his Avenger mentor of Werewolf's innocence, "someone put that thing on him to manipulate him, to control him! I just know it!"

The statement gave Peter's mentor pause, and he dropped to the ground. He was silent for a moment before he held up a finger, dabbing it at Peter.

"You sound a lot like Rodgers," Tony then said, and Peter shivered at his mournful tone. Steve Rodgers was Captain America, the Avengers' former leader who had torn the team apart to protect a dangerous assassin. At least, that's what Tony had told him.

"Steve wanted to protect his friend for crimes he was forced to commit too," Tony went on, and the suit approached Peter and helped him to his feet, "I lost him because of that. I'm not going to lose you too."

"So you understand?" Peter asked hopefully, his mouth raising in a smile.

Tony sighed audibly, and patted the boy's sore shoulder, "I'll try to. If your werewolf is found, I'll do what I can to protect him for you. Give the suit the helmet. It might be helpful in proving his innocence."

Peter gladly handed him the mind-wiping technology. He had to admit, he was stunned by Tony's compassion. He wasn't expecting the understanding that Tony showed, but he'd be lying if he said he wasn't grateful. Had he learned something from the past? Had what happened during the Avengers civil war changed him somehow?

"Thank you, Mr.Stark," Peter said as Tony's suit began to hover again.

"Get home, kid. Take the day off tomorrow. You've earned it," was all Tony replied before taking off into the night sky.

This was super short, but necessary. But yeah, here's 26! I honestly didn't think I'd have so many chapters. And you guys are just the best, by the way. 1k views?! Seriously?! I can't say it enough about how happy I am that you like this story. Honestly, from the bottom of my heart, thank you all.

~Fargone5